Upright piano



Patented Mar. 3, 1931 UNITED STATES PATENT oFFICE GUS'IAIF WALDEMAR LUNDHOLM OF STOCKHOLMI, SWEDEN UZE'RIGHT PIANO The present invention relates to an improvement 1n upright pianos, and consists principally in that the key-board bottom with the key-board is pivoted to the piano in such manner that it may be swung up into a corresponding opening or recess in the front side of the piano, and is hinged to a cover panel or the like which, when the key-board bottom occupies its open or horizontal position, covf era the said opening or recess and thus also the mechanism inside said opening. By the key-board being adapted to be folded into the piano when the piano is not used, the advantage is attained that the piano requires less space, and also that the key-board is protected against damage, dust and so forth, and by the cover panel being hinged to the key-board bottom it is possible to swing the key-board up into closed position without the cover panel striking against the mechanism. For this purpose the cover panel may be adapted to cooperate with a suitable guide which guides the panel in such manner that it always occupies a vertical or substantially vertical position during the closing or opening movement of the key-board bottom.

An embodiment of the invention is illustrated by way of example in the accompanying drawing. Fig. 1 shows a side view, partly in section, of an upright piano according to the invention, with the key-board in open position, and Fig. 2 shows a similar view of the piano with the key-board in closed position. Fig. 3 shows a front view of a portion of the piano with the key-board in open position, and Fig. 4: shows a front view of the piano with the key-board closed.

Referring to the drawing, 1 denotes the front panel of the piano box, 2 denotes the key-board, and 3 denotes the key-board bottom. Said bottom is pivoted on two pivots 4, one on each side, so that the bottom may be swung out to the horizontal position shown in Figs. 1 and 3, when the instrument is to be used, and may also be swung up into a corresponding opening or recess 5 in the front side of the piano box, as shown in Fig. 2, when the instrument is not used. By this arrangement the key-board will be protected from damage, dust and the like. In order that the key-board bottom 3 shall securely maintained in the open position shown in Fig. 1, so that the inner ends 6 of the keys 'occupyproper posit-ions relatively to those parts 7 of the mechanism with which they are to cooperate, there are secured to the keyboard bottom one or more arms 8 which, in the horizontal position of said bottom, bear against fixed stops 9 in the piano.

Pivotally attached to the key-board bottom 8 by means of hinges 10 or the like is a cover panel 11 which serves to close the opening 5 and to cover the mechanism inside the same, when the key-board bottom occupies its horizontal position, Fig. 1, so that said mechanism is not exposed. Secured to one side of said cover panel 11 is a pin 12 which engages a fixed slotted guide 13. By this arrangement the cover panel is guided in such manner that during movement of the bottom 3 said panel 11 always retains a vertical or substantially vertical position, see Figs. 1 and 2, so that when moved inwards it does not strike against the mechanism.

The key-board bottom may, of course, be provided with a suitable look by means of which it may be locked in the closed position shown in Fig. 2, to prevent use of the piano by unauthorized persons.

The construction above described and illus- 8 trated in the drawing is only to be regarded as an example, and it will be understood that the same may be modified in respect of its details in several ways without departing from the principle and scope of the invention.

I claim:

1. In an upright piano, the combination of a piano box having an opening in its front side, a key-board bottom pivoted to said piano 9% box in such manner that it may be swung up into said opening and be swung out into a substantially horizontally position, a cover panel hinged to said key-board bottom and adapted to close said opening when said bot- 95 tom occupies its horizontal position, and a guide for said cover panel adapted to guide the same in such manner that said panel always retains a substantially vertical position when the keyboard bottom is swung from its horizontal position into said opening in said box.

2. In an upright piano, the combination of a piano box having an opening in its front side, a key-board bottom pivoted to said piano box insuch manner that it may be swung up into said openingand be swung out into a substantially horizontal position; a cover panel hinged to said key-boardbottom and adapted toclose said opening when said bottom occupies its horizontal position, and a guide for said cover panel adapted to guide, the same in such manner that said panel 91- Ways retains asubstantially Vertical position When the key-board bottom is swung frorn it s horizontal position into said opening in said box, said guide consisting of a slotted member secured to said piano boX,-and a pin secured to said cover panel and cooperating With said slotted member.

' GUSTAF WALDEMAR LUNDHOLM. 

